Two Arsenal stars walking suspension tightrope vs Sporting CP as UEFA twist explained

Two Arsenal stars walking suspension tightrope vs Sporting CP as UEFA twist explainedTwo Arsenal stars are at risk of picking up a Champions League suspension for a potential semi-final against Atletico MadridCommentsSportKieran Horn Digital Sports Journalist14:53, 15 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesMikel Arteta has two Arsenal suspension worries for the Champions League clash against Sporting CP(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))Arsenal midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard will be banned for a possible Champions League semi-final first leg if either are cautioned during Wednesday's clash against Sporting CP. The Gunners head into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage, and a tie against Atletico Madrid awaits should Mikel Arteta's men progress.‌Yellow card rules in European competition differ significantly from those in the Premier League, with three bookings triggering an automatic ban. Should a player have already served a suspension in the tournament, any further odd-numbered caution will result in another one-game ban.‌Zubimendi has already accumulated four yellows, meaning another yellow card against Sporting would rule him out of a potential semi-final first leg. Norgaard, meanwhile, sits on two bookings, so a further yellow card would equally land him with a one-match ban.‌READ MORE: Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta given painful title race reality check as cost of failure clearREAD MORE: Barcelona ace piles pressure on Arsenal in bitter exchange after Champions League agonyShould both players come through unscathed, Arteta will have no further suspension concerns unless someone picks up a straight red card. UEFA regulations state that all bookings are wiped clean once the semi-final stage gets under way.Despite having clocked up nearly 4,000 minutes of domestic football this season, with tiredness appearing to affect his recent performances, Zubimendi is still expected to feature from the off. Ahead of the match, Arteta brushed aside...